nhk world has more. >> filling the streets with a soft yellow light. the design is typical of the 19th century. the earliest models are nearly 200 years old. more than 40,000 units are still in use. >> the atmosphere is fantastic. >> it gives me peace. >> in the days of the cold war, west berlin was surrounded by east germany, updating the city's infrastructure was no easy task. the old gas lamps survived. >> the tear down of the lanterns has begun. last year, authorities began replacing the gas lights with electric models. one of them is an effort to cut costs. the aging lamps are also prone to staying lit during the day. city officials say the switchover will slash costs by up to 90% for land and reduce carbon emissions. >> gas lights are clearly outdated. technically speaking, they are relics of the past. the decision sparked public protests. >> removal work must be stopped. >> working as a radiology technician, he organized one of the demonstrations. people formed a human chain around one of the removal sites when the work began, protesters tried t